ILKAY GUNDOGAN: German precision

Five talking points to emerge from City's 1-0 victory over Chelsea...

1 Gundogan form

The Germany international was making his 36th appearance of the season and was again filling the void left by Fernandinho in the midfield anchor role.

Though the visitors hardly pressed high, he did everything he had to do with great efficiency and minimum fuss. By the end of the game, he’d created a new Premier League passing record with 167 successful passes and a 96% success rate.

With Gundogan seamlessly slotting into Ferna’s role so well, it proves City can cope without the influential Ferna when the situation demands – not that he won’t be welcomed back with open arms on his return to fitness.

Every Touch

Every touch: Gundogan v Chelsea

2 Sergio’s best yet?

Pep Guardiola believes Sergio Aguero may be playing the best football of his career – certainly, he asserts, since he arrived as manager.

The stats back up Pep’s assertion that Sergio has looked sharper and more confident than ever, with 15 goals so far for the Argentine in 2018.

Kun’s link up play and all-round game is flourishing under the Catalan and as we await his historic 200th Club goal, it is great to see a genuine Manchester City legend still at the very peak of his powers and, perhaps, a little more besides.

Interviews

Laporte: I'm still adapting to the Premier League

4 Champagne on ice

Though City still need to secure 12 points to guarantee the Premier League title, it was clear what the 1-0 win over Chelsea meant to Pep, the team and the coaching staff.

This was a game the Blues felt they had to win, despite the yawning gap at the top, and though there are games against Everton, United and Spurs on the horizon, it seems unlikely that Liverpool or United will win all their remaining games.

Highlights

Match highlights: FC Basel 0-4 City

It will be fascinating to see which starting XI Pep goes for, but it will be an opportunity to play Claudio Bravo, Fabian Delph, John Stones, Gabriel Jesus, Phil Foden, Brahim Diaz and Yaya Toure, who would all benefit from additional game time.

Whichever team Pep selects, it will be one he fully expects to complete the task and put City into the quarter-finals for only the second time.